Redskins safety Reed Doughty: Without playoffs, season is a 'failure'

Dec. 28, 2012
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Washington Redskins strong safety Reed Doughty looks back into the tunnel before being introduced during the first half of an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons in Landover, Md., Sunday, Oct. 7, 2012. / Evan Vucci, AP

by Robert Klemko, USA TODAY Sports

by Robert Klemko, USA TODAY Sports

ASHBURN, Va. -- Every year, on the last Friday of the regular season, the Sharpees and footballs come out at Redskins Park.

For the past four seasons, Washington Redskins players knew it would be the last time that combination of players would be at the practice facility, so it was a last chance to get autographs as memorabilia or gifts. On Friday, the unofficial autograph tradition continued, with the caveat that Washington has a real chance to extend this season into the playoffs for the first time since 2007.

"It's usually a tradition, when you don't know when you're going to see each other next," safety Reed Doughty said. "It's absolutely a different feeling now. It's exciting knowing we have an opportunity. It's what we've created for ourselves, so we'll see what we make of it."

The Redskins host the Dallas Cowboys at FedEx Field Sunday night with the NFC East title on the line. Win, and Washington is in the playoffs. Lose, and they need help to get there.

For all the strides Washington made this season â?? the installation of a new offense with rookie quarterback Robert Griffin III, a six-game winning streak that has led them to at least a four-win improvement on a 5-11 finish last season â?? Doughty says the season would feel like a bust if they fail to get a playoff berth.

"All this is is an opportunity," he says. "You don't want to look at it at the end of the year and say, 'Oh, we came back and finished above .500.' What does that mean? Nothing. For us the playoff opportunity is essential. At this point, the season is a failure, if not (and) a huge disappointment, to say the least."

Redskins guard Chris Chester has mixed emotions on the topic.

"If you don't win a Super Bowl, it's not a good season, and that's kind of the approach we all have," he says. "But also we've made some great progress as a team, and you can be proud of that, but unless you win, it doesn't really matter."

In their effort to sweep Dallas for the first time since 2005, the Redskins are hoping Griffin III will be a full participant. Redskins coach Mike Shanahan says there were no setbacks this week for the rookie's injured knee. He was voted to the Pro Bowl this week along with Redskins left tackle Trent Williams and linebacker/special teamer Lorenzo Alexander.

Griffin wore a brace for the sprained LCL last week after missing a game with the injury, and continued to wear one through practice Friday.

"I think he gets better and better and more comfortable using the brace," said Shanahan. "Like I said last week, some of the quarterback keeps and some of the scrambles, you could see that it was pretty impressive last week for him to make some of those moves outside the pocket. But it has improved another week and there should be no setback."

Additionally, right tackle Tyler Polumbus is hoping to return from the concussion suffered in Week 15 which kept him out of Sunday's Victory in Philadelphia. He was cleared to practice fully Friday, but Shanahan chose to limit his participation.